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Vol.3/Issue3/May-June 2021 Inter. J.

Pharma O2 ISSN: 2582-4708

International Journal of PharmaO2


Journal Home Page: http://www.ijpo.in/
(IJPO: A Peer-reviewed Bi-monthly online journal)

Research Article
Effects of Palm Kernel Oil, Olive Oil, Crude Oil and Honey on Renal
Function of Male Albino Rats
Chinedu Imo*1, Nkeiruka Glory Imo2 and Nelson Wilson1
1
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari,
Nigeria.
2
Department of Animal Production and Health, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Federal
University Wukari, Nigeria.

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT


Article history: This study investigated the effects of palm kernel oil, olive oil, crude oil
Received: 12/02/2021; and honey on renal function of male albino rats. These chemical
Revised: 08/03/2021 substances are used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including
Accepted: 07/04/2021; as antidote for poisons. Thirty healthy male albino rats were purchased
Available online: and used in this research study. The animals were randomly placed into
01/05/2021.
five groups (n=6). The animals were administered the corresponding
Key Words: chemical substances for a period of three weeks. They were later
Crude oil, sacrificed and their blood samples and kidneys collected for biochemical
Histology, and histological analysis respectively. Urea increased in all the groups
Honey, administered the different chemical substances compared to the control.
Olive oil, The increase is statistically significant (p<0.05) in groups 4 and 5, and
Palm kernel oil, non-significant (p>0.05) in groups 2 and 3 when compared to the control
Renal function. (group 1). Creatinine increased non-significantly (p>0.05) in all the test
groups compared to the control. Sodium decreased non-significantly
Please cite this (p>0.05) in group 2, but increased non-significantly (p>0.05) in groups 3,
article as: Imo, C., et 4 and 5 compared to the control. Potassium increased non-significantly
al. (2021). Effects of (p>0.05) in group 2, but increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups 3, 4
Palm Kernel Oil,
and 5, while chloride increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 5
Olive Oil, Crude Oil
and Honey on Renal
and non-significantly (p>0.05) in group 4 compared to the control.
Function of Male Photomicrographs of histoarchitectural state of the renal tissues showed
Albino Rats. 3(3), some forms of alterations in some parts of the tissues of the test animals
0121-0129. when compared with the control. This study showed that long term
administration of palm kernel oil, olive oil, crude oil and honey, as used in
this study could cause certain alteration to renal functions. The order of
renal intoxication caused by the administration of the chemical substances
is crude oil > honey > olive oil > palm kernel oil.
©2021 Published by International Journal of PharmaO2. This is an open access article.
*
Corresponding author: Dr. Chinedu Imo, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal
University Wukari, P.M.B. 1020, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. Contact: +2348037505543, e-mail:
chinedu04@yahoo.com

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Introduction Crude petroleum contains hundreds of


Currently, different chemical substances, compounds and the chemical composition
including palm kernel oil, olive oil, crude oil varies among geologic formations (Coppock et
and honey are used in traditional medicine for al., 1995). In Nigeria, crude oil is
various reasons such as in management or predominantly found in the riverine areas. For
treatment of certain diseased conditions. Some a long period till now, the use of crude oil has
people also use these substances as antidote for been practiced by the local population for the
poison. management or treatment of various ailments
Palm kernel oil is edible oil which is extracted such as gastrointestinal disorders, burns, foot
from the kernels of the fruits of tropical palm rot, leg ulcers and poisoning, and also used
tree (Hartley, 1997; Ugbogu et al., 2006). Palm against witchcraft (Umezurike et al., 2016).
kernel oil has high energy content and is Knowledge of human responses to acute
underutilized as edible oil in Nigeria. In some exposures to petroleum components comes
regions such as Central Africa and Southeast from studies with several solvents containing
Asia, it is a common cooking oil and becoming benzene and petroleum. There is a concern that
popular in some areas due to its low workers and other individuals exposed to crude
manufacturing cost compared to some other oil might have an increased incidence of some
cooking oils (Ugbogu et al., 2006; Akubugwo organ damage due to toxicities associated with
and Ugbogu, 2007). According to Sutapa and it. After absorption through pulmonary or
Analava (2009), the consumption of palm gastrointestinal routes, crude oil is transported
kernel oil as a source of dietary fat does not in plasma: initially bound to albumin and other
pose any additional risks for coronary artery larger proteins to the liver (Umezurike et al.,
disease when consumed in realistic amounts as 2016).
part of a healthy diet. Oxidized palm kernel oil Honey is a natural product with very complex
has been reported to induce reproductive chemical composition. It is composed mostly
toxicity and organ toxicity particularly of the of glucose and fructose. It contains more than
kidneys, lungs, liver and heart (Sutapa and 180 substances, including amino acids,
Analava, 2009). minerals, vitamins and enzymes (Lopez-Garcia
Olive oil appears to be a functional food with et al., 1999; Merken and Beecher, 2000).
various components such as monounsaturated Though it is well used in nutrition, it is not well
fatty acids that are known to possess nutritional recognized as a medicine, yet it is one of the
benefits. It has been reported by Moreno and oldest medicines known and has continued to
Mitjavilab (2003) that an increased be used (Jones, 2001). Honey has been known
consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids for so many properties, including as an
instead of polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor.
the risk of atherosclerosis due to its ability to It possesses a considerable hydroxyl radical
decrease the circulating lipoprotein’s scavenging activity and prevents the depletion
sensitivity to peroxidation. In an experimental of the antioxidant enzymes. It has been
study, olive oil phenolic compounds showed reported to normalize kidney functions and
strong antioxidant properties against oxidation protect the liver from intoxication (Bariliak et
of lipids, DNA and LDL (Covas et al., 2006). al., 1996).
Hydroxytyrosol (2-(3,4 dihydroxyphenyl) In traditional medicine, palm kernel oil, olive
Ethanol, DPE), one of the phenolic compounds oil, crude oil and honey are used for various
present in extra virgin olive oil has been purposes, including as antidote for poisons.
suggested to be an active antioxidant which This study is therefore essential because it will
contributes to the beneficial properties of olive provide information on the effects of using
oil (Deiana et al., 1999). these chemical substances on the renal
Crude oil has been described by Orisakwe et al. function. This warrants research into the effects
(2004) as a complex mixture of over 6000 of palm kernel oil, olive oil, crude oil and
potentially different hydrocarbons and metals. honey on renal function of male albino rats.
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Materials and Methods Biochemical and histological analysis


Chemicals The biochemical parameters selected were
Crude oil, olive oil, honey and palm kernel oil creatinine, urea and electrolytes such as
were obtained from Port Harcourt, Wukari, chloride, potasium and sodium. Urea,
Kurmi L.G.A., and Umuahia, Nigeria potassium and creatinine were determined
respectively. using an auto-analyzer (Reflotron Plus).
Chloride and sodium were determined using
Experimental animals the method of Schonfeld and Lowellen (1964)
Thirty healthy male albino rats of seven weeks and Tietz (1976) respectively.
of age were used in this research study. The The kidneys of the rats were harvested and
rats were purchased and kept at the fixed in 10% formalin. The kidneys were
experimental animal house, Department of processed using an automatic tissue processor,
Biochemistry, Federal University Wukari, embedded in paraffin wax, and sections cut
Nigeria. The albino rats were allowed access to using a rotary microtome. The sections were
feed and water ad libitum throughout the period stained by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)
of the experiment. Standard laboratory method, and were examined. Photomicrograph
protocols for animal studies were followed. All of the kidney sections were taken.
methods were performed in accordance with
the relevant guidelines and regulations. Statistical analysis
The biochemical analysis results were analyzed
Experimental design statistically using One-Way Analysis of
The thirty male albino rats were randomly Variance (ANOVA) and further with Duncan’s
placed into five groups of six rats each. Group multiple comparison with the use of Statistical
1 rats served as normal control (they were not Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.
administered any chemical substance), while The means were compared for significance at
rats in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 served as the test p≤0.05 and the group results were presented as
animals. The rats in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 mean ± SD (n=6).
received palm kernel oil (5 ml/kg bw), olive oil
(5 ml/kg bw), crude oil (5 ml/kg bw) and honey Results and Discussion
(5 ml/kg bw) respectively for three weeks prior The result of the biochemical analysis is
to animal sacrifice. The corresponding presented in the Table 1.
chemical substances were administered to the Urea increased in all the groups administered
rats once daily through oral route. the different chemical substances compared to
the control. The increase was statistically
Blood collection significant (p<0.05) in groups 4 and 5, and
After administration of the chemical substances non-significant (p>0.05) in groups 2 and 3.
to the test rats, all the rats were starved Creatinine increased non-significantly (p>0.05)
overnight, anaesthetized using chloroform and in all the test groups compared to the control.
sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Blood Sodium decreased non-significantly (p>0.05) in
samples were collected from each rat through group 2, but increased non-significantly
cardiac puncture and dispensed into plain (p>0.05) in groups 3, 4 and 5 compared to the
sample tubes and allowed to clot for about control. Potassium increased non-significantly
fifteen minutes. The samples were centrifuged (p>0.05) in group 2, but increased significantly
at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant (p<0.05) in groups 3, 4 and 5 compared to the
(serum) was collected by simple aspiration control, while chloride increased significantly
with Pasteur pipette and dispensed into clean (p<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 5 and non-
tubes for the biochemical analysis. The kidney significantly (p>0.05) in group 4 compared to
of all the test animals were also harvested for the control.
histological analysis.

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Table 1: Concentration of selected biochemical indices of kidney function in rats administered


palm kernel oil, olive oil, crude oil and honey
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5
Parameters (Normal (Palm kernel oil: (Olive oil: 5 (Crude oil: 5 (Honey: 5
control) 5 ml/kg bw) ml/kg bw) ml/kg bw) ml/kg bw)
Urea 5.03 ± 1.35a 6.72 ± 1.61a,b 5.64 ± 2.05a 11.09 ± 1.83c 8.96 ± 0.60b,c
(mmol/L)
Creatinine 47.43 ± 2.24a 54.47 ± 4.20a 56.03 ± 13.00a 67.20 ± 13.42a 56.47 ± 12.24a
(µmol/L)
Sodium 239.27 ± 9.47a 224.37 ± 19.71a 254.13 ± 15.20a 269.60 ± 21.95a 254.10 ± 38.19a
(mmol/L)
Potassium 5.00 ± 0.09a 5.68 ± 0.48a,b 6.21 ± 0.92b 6.87 ± 0.31b 6.71 ± 0.88b
(mmol/L)
Chloride 119.67 ± 5.25a 162.87 ± 31.81b 164.40 ± 27.76b 150.03 ± 19.69a,b 181.03 ± 2.66b
(mmol/L)
Result represent mean ± standard deviation of group serum result obtained (n=6).
Mean in the same row, having different letters of the alphabet are statistically significant (p<0.05).

Photomicrographs of the kidney sections are presented below:

Fig. 1: Photomicrograph from kidney section of normal rat (group 1) showing normal
histoarchitecture of the renal tissue. The normal glomerulus (G), Collecting duct (Cd), Bowman’s
capsule (Bc), Convoluted tubule (CT) and Bowman’s space (Bs) are shown.

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Fig. 2: Photomicrographs from kidney section of rat administered palm kernel oil showing normal
glomerulus (G), Collecting duct (Cd), Bowman’s capsule (Bc), and Bowman’s space (Bs). However,
some areas of the renal tissue appear to be mildly distorted.

Fig. 3: Photomicrographs from kidney section of rat administered olive oil showing normal
glomerulus (G) and Bowman’s capsule (Bc). Some collecting ducts (Cd) and Bowman’s spaces (Bs)
appeared mildly shrunken.

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Fig. 4: Photomicrographs from kidney section of rat administered crude oil showing evidence of
infiltrations in some arears of the renal tissue. Although, the glomerulus (G) and Bowman’s space (Bs)
appeared normal.

Fig.5: Photomicrographs from kidney section of rat administered honey showing some normal and
some shrunken glomerulus (G). Most of the Bowman’s spaces (Bs) and some of the convoluted
tubules (CT) are enlarged.

The kidney helps in maintaining homeostasis products. The absorption and excretion of
of the body by reabsorbing important materials materials by the kidney is very essential for
such as electrolytes and excreting waste life. Amino acid deamination takes place in the

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liver, where ammonia is converted into urea the groups administered olive oil and palm
and excreted through urine whereas, creatinine kernel oil.
phosphate metabolism is an energy generating The retention of creatinine in the blood is
process that takes place in the skeletal muscle indicative of kidney impairment (Okpala et al.,
and produce creatinine as a waste which is 2014). In this study, Creatinine increased non-
equally excreted via urine. Renal significantly (p>0.05) in all the test groups
diseases/impediments which diminish the compared to the control. However, this non-
glomerular filtration and tubular reabsorption significant alteration showed that creatinine
rate for urea, creatinine and electrolytes will was retained in the blood as a result of the
lead to their retention in the blood and hence chemical substances administered to the
their level of presence in the blood can be used animals. The effect is more evident in group 4
as biomarkers for kidney dysfunction. In this administered crude oil which also agreed with
study, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium and the work of Uhegbu et al. (2015), showing an
chloride were used as indices of kidney indication of kidney impairment. Hence,
function. From the present study, the evident according to Imo and Uhegbu (2015) an
significant (P<0.05) elevation of serum urea in elevation in urea and creatinine levels may
rats administered crude oil and honey, as well possibly be attributed to the damage of nephron
as the significantly (P<0.05) raised potassium structural integrity. It is therefore obvious that
and chlorides levels could be attributed to the some structural integrity of the test animals has
damaged of nephron structural integrity (Khan been compromised.
and Siddique, 2012; Yacout et al. 2012). Electrolytes are chemicals with either positive
However, the result did not show any or negative charges. This means they can
significant (P<0.05) variation in creatinine and interact with water or cellular signals. When
sodium ion levels when compared to the electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and
normal rats. chloride in the blood are balanced, they suggest
Urea and creatinine are well known general a balance in some organ’s functions, such as
markers of renal function. Urea is a product of the kidneys. Crook (2007) reported that
general cellular metabolism while creatinine is abnormal concentration of some electrolytes in
a specific product of muscle breakdown. A the plasma or serum is an indication of kidney
high level of serum urea is indicative of acute function impairment. High increase in sodium
renal dysfunction, while a high level of serum level is associated with high blood pressure,
creatinine is indicative of chronic renal while a significant decrease in sodium indicates
dysfunction (Shaikh and Gautam, 2014). There a low blood pressure. The result of this study
was an increase of urea level in all the groups (Table 1) indicates that apart from palm kernel
administered the chemical substances (Table oil which showed the potency of reducing the
1). The increase was statistically significant serum sodium level, olive oil, crude oil and
(p<0.05) in groups 4 and 5, and non-significant honey have the ability to increase sodium level.
(p>0.05) in groups 2 and 3. The increase in Potassium is the primary intracellular
urea suggests alteration of kidney function and electrolyte that modulates electrical signaling
this may be due to the inability of the kidney to within the cell, controlling vesicles and
filter urea up to normal levels (Shaikh and channels. Potassium increased non-
Gautam, 2014). The result of group 4 is in significantly (p>0.05) in group 2, but increased
tandem with the work of Uhegbu et al. (2015) significantly (p<0.05) in groups 3, 4 and 5
where similar substances were used. The non- compared to the control. This is an indication
significant increase in urea level in groups 2 of hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels)
and 3 when compared to the control is and maybe be associated with alteration of
indicative of mild negative effects of palm kidney function and also indicates that
kernel oil and olive oil on the kidney. There membrane channels may be possibly affected
was an indicative of more renal toxicity in the by exposure to the chemical substances
group administered crude oil and honey than (Uhegbu et al., 2015). Chloride is essential for
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